Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of programme frequency during physical reconditioning. To achieve the above mentioned objective, data obtained during a survey undertaken by the Biokinetics centre of the Department of Human Movement Science at the University of the North was analyzed. Data was obtained from a stratified randomized sample of white males between the ages 29 and 49, employed at the above-mentioned university. The sample was divided into an experimental and a control group, with the experimental group being further subdivided into two (Experimental Groups A and B). The experimental group underwent a programme of physical training, detraining and retraining, each phase lasting 12 weeks. In the training phase, both experimental groups worked at a frequency of 3 sessions a week. In the retraining phase, group A worked at a frequency of 2 sessions a week and group B at 4 sessions a week. The control group continued with their normal lifestyle without undergoing any training programme. At the end of each phase, all groups were evaluated. The sequence of the physical activity was as follows: measurement of stature, body mass, body fat, heart rate, determination of the physical work capacity, flexibility and abdominal muscle endurance. The following results were found: retraining at a frequency of 4 sessions per week progressed more quickly than with 2 sessions a week in the case of physical work capacity, body composition (body mass and the percentage of body fat) and flexibility of the lower back, but not in the case of abdominal muscle endurance. Retraining of 2 sessions per week produced reductions in body mass (not significant) and the percentage of body fat (significant) as well as significant improvements in the flexibility of the lower back and abdominal muscle endurance, but no change in physical capacity. Retraining at 4 sessions per week proceeded faster than training at 3 sessions a week wit regard to body mass, but more slowly with regard to physical work capacity, percentage of body fat and abdominal muscle endurance. In the case of flexibility of the lower back, there was no difference between the rate of retraining at 4 sessions a week and training at 3 sessions a week. The average rate of detraining was slower than the average rate of training with regard to physical work capacity, percentage of body fat, flexibility of the lower back and abdominal muscle endurance.